Football quarter-finals put back to ease fixture congestion

GAA chiefs have pushed the Bank of Ireland SFC quarter-finals back by a week to allow greater flexibility in their schedule.

Draws in the Munster and Leinster finals and the knock-on effects on the qualifiers have forced fixture bosses to play the quarter-finals on August 7 and August 14, with the winning teams enjoying a two-week break before the semis.

The news is especially welcome for Kerry manager Jack O’Connor, who is likely to welcome back injured duo Seamus Moynihan and Declan O’Sullivan because of the new time frame.